Nearly 150 environmental activists killed or disappeared in 2024

In just one year—2024—nearly 150 environmental defenders were either murdered or went missing without a trace worldwide, with Latin America being the hardest-hit region, especially Colombia. This is according to a new report released today by the non-governmental organization Global Witness.

“Global Witness recorded 146 killings and long-term disappearances of land and environmental defenders in 2024,” the report states. That figure averages out to “about three people per week being killed or disappearing throughout the year,” the organization highlights.

Although the number is lower than the 196 cases recorded in 2023, the group warns that this does not indicate an improvement in the situation. In many countries, the actual figures are likely underreported due to lack of transparency, threats, or weak institutional frameworks.

According to the report, over four out of five of these cases occurred in Latin America.

Colombia: The Deadliest Country for Environmental Defenders

Colombia remains the most dangerous country for environmental activists. In 2024, 48 murders were reported, down from 79 the previous year. This single country accounts for roughly one-third of all global cases.

“Indigenous peoples, farming communities, and Afro-Colombian populations fear speaking out against environmental destruction caused by extractive industries,” particularly in regions where armed groups operate or in areas considered conflict zones, the NGO notes.

Colombia, where numerous armed groups engage in illegal mining and drug trafficking to fund their activities, is followed by:

Guatemala (20 cases)

Mexico (19 cases)

Brazil (12 cases)

Philippines (8 cases)

Long-Term Toll

Since 2012, the year Global Witness began systematically tracking data on this issue, a total of 2,253 environmental defenders have been reported as killed or disappeared worldwide.